versão On-line ISSN 2309-8309versão impressa ISSN 1681-150X

Resumo

Primary spinal tumours make up 11% of primary musculoskeletal tumours, and 4.2% of spinal tumours.1 Six per cent of these spinal tumours are to be considered malignant.2 The intrinsic rarity of these tumours therefore make it very difficult for a single spinal surgeon to amass a large enough number of surgical cases to string together a valid and well-constructed series in a single career. The sparse body of available literature stems mostly from multi-centre research. Inappropriate treatment and incomplete resection not only increase the rate of recurrence, but have in fact been shown to be detrimental to the patient's survival.3-5 Thorough understanding of the principles involved as well as experience therefore limits the treatment of such cases to bigger centres with high enough numbers to be considered practised.